Jury selection begins in Pearland teen’s slaying

Erin Mulvane, Houston Chronicle

By Erin Mulvaney

Published 1:55 pm, Wednesday, January 16, 2013

A suspect has been charged in the disappearance and murder of Joshua Wilkerson. Hermilo Vildo Moralez, 19 yoa, of Pearland has been charged with Murder, a First Degree Felony. In addition to the Murder charge, Moralez is charged with Failure to Identify, a Class C Misdemeanor and Attempting to Take a Weapon from a Peace Officer, a State Jail Felony.
Moralez was identified early in the investigation as a person of interest when he was observed loitering in the area of Josh Wilkerson?s abandoned vehicle. When questioned, Moralez provided false information relating to his identity. When his true identity was discovered, he was taken into custody and charged with Failure to Identify. His bond on that charge is $2,000.
As the investigation progressed, Moralez agreed to cooperate with search and rescue activities on the ground. Moralez was handcuffed and walking with detectives through a field Wednesday afternoon when the group reached a fence. As investigators negotiated over the fence, Moralez attempted to pull a detective?s weapon from his holster. Moralez was immediately restrained and returned to the city jail. As a result, Moralez was charged with Attempting to Take a Weapon from a Peace Officer. His bond on that charge is $30,000
A motive for the killing has not been identified and no details regarding Joshua Wilkerson?s remains are being released. No bond has been set for the Murder charge.

The jury that will decide the fate of the 21-year-old man accused of killing a Pearland teen in 2010 will be selected Wednesday in a Brazoria County court.

Hermilo Moralez was charged with murder in the beating death of his missing classmate. The dumped, partially burned remains of 18-year-old Josh Wilkerson were discovered in a Fort Bend County field with bound hands and feet.

In November 2011, it was determined that Moralez was not competent to stand trial, and he was transferred to a state mental hospital. At a hearing last year, jurors heard from two psychiatrists who testified that Moralez was well enough to stand trial.

Brazoria County District Attorney Jeri Yenne is trying the case against Moralez. She would not comment on the upcoming trial.

The week before Thanksgiving 2010, Wilkerson disappeared after leaving Pearland ISD’s Pace Center campus the week. His parents notified police when they found his truck in a strip mall parking lot later that evening. After an extensive search by authorities and volunteers, the teen’s body was found the next day across the county line.

Authorities said Moralez, then 19, admitted beating Wilkerson to death with a wooden rod. At the time of his arrest, the Belize citizen did not have legal status in this country, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He also faces charges of tampering with physical evidence and trying to take a weapon from a police officer.

Moralez’s attorney Crespin Linton said the trial may last several weeks, and he hopes because of media coverage there are no preconceived notions about his client’s guilt or innocence.

“It’s going to be a lengthy trial, and we want to make sure all the evidence is heard before a judgment is made,” Linton said. “People can be quick to judge.”